I used the heck out of my first pair of KSO's woodsballing. They held up really well to sliding and whatnot. The only bit of damage I had was when I was running through some brush a twig tore a chunk out of the mesh on the top of them.

My only peeves with them were constantly getting copious quantities of flowers/pieces of grass/etc. caught between my toes, and KSO's did not provide very good traction in mud. I've got a pair of Komodos at the moment, saving up for the Spyridon's, look like they'll be perfect for paintball and hiking.

I used the heck out of my first pair of KSO's woodsballing. They held up really well to sliding and whatnot. The only bit of damage I had was when I was running through some brush a twig tore a chunk out of the mesh on the top of them.

My only peeves with them were constantly getting copious quantities of flowers/pieces of grass/etc. caught between my toes, and KSO's did not provide very good traction in mud. I've got a pair of Komodos at the moment, saving up for the Spyridon's, look like they'll be perfect for paintball and hiking.

Yeah, you really do want a more aggressive tread pattern like the Treks or Treksports have, or the Spyridon's.

As to the grass, flowers, and such getting trapped, yeah, I have had that happen a time or two.

I can confirm the Spyridon traction somewhat...I did some running (including a steep hill of compact mud) but I injured something last week and don't want to push it just now. Hadn't build up my muscles enough I guess!

Wow... I bought a pair because I used to love running barefoot on the track in high school. I bought a pair of KSOs and really like them. I wanted to start wearing them for runs and working out and started to wear them instead of flip-flops.

Took a bit of getting used to as far as picking out the ground type to wear them in. Really rocky soil with golfball size to softball size stones is not the place for KSOs. I did use them in the water instead of booties for my flippers. I imagine using them for canoeing, kayaking, surfing, and other water sports will be just as good. Just watch out for sand, as it can get in through the mesh top.

They do not provide much insulation from temperatures. I helped out at a flag football game in them on artificial turf and my feet were getting uncomfortably hot. I do not wear socks with them.

I want to start playing in them, so I'm glad this thread came out. Sounds like the Treks are the way to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdrinkh20

Another question: for those of you that use your VFFs fairly regularly, how did you start working into them? I understand that running too much can cause a variety of injuries if your form is wrong, and have read running without them on can help you develop the best form (because your feet will feel the ground better and let you know when to stop for now, whereas the VFF soles protect you from this "warning").

Thanks for the vid I actually have been focusing on forefoot striking, I've just been wondering (because of my clear need for orthotics this far) whether I have an abnormal gait that will prevent me from running in my Vibrams properly. I suspect, however, that my muscles just weren't ready for the sprinting I put them through so early and I tweaked something. (I talked to my friend's dad, he's high up in the "Running Room" -- said he'd done it a few times running in regular shoes, basically pulling the nerve away from something near the shin-bone. Any walking for the next week or so will be done in regular shoes, no running! Until I recover anyways!)

If you get to try them on first hand though, take a look at the Spyridons as opposed to the Treks. I'm not fully sure about the laces yet, and I wonder if the sewn in seams will start to rub but they didn't during a 50 minute walk.

Further update...laces turned out to be all good, but the sewn-in insole causes some irritation on your toes :| I was in them for 3 hours and pretty sore by the end but mostly due to my fitness level/still working into Fivefingers.

Sorry I took so long, my dad invited me on his business trip to Japan after school finished!

Really? I found to dislike the laces and removable insole. Causes my foot to slide around in the newer VFFs. I still prefer my KSOs in fit and feel over any barefoot shoe.

I only get the sliding when my feet are really sweaty. Takes some time, usually!
As for irritation, I mean I was losing skin on toe joints on the bottom from rubbing. I'm sure my feet will toughen but still doesn't feel nice.